NFL Bumps Pats-Dolphins From NBC's "SNF" For Vikings-Cardinals

NFL Bumps Patriots-Dolphins Game Out Of Primetime For Vikings-Cardinals Match-Up

The NFL has used its flex scheduling option to move the December 6 Vikings-Cardinals game to NBC's "SNF" window, bumping Patriots-Dolphins to 1:00pm on CBS (NFL). On Long Island, Neil Best wrote, "This seems to contradict the stated policy of flex scheduling, which is to prevent NBC from getting stuck with stinkers, not necessarily to put one of the day's most attractive games in prime time. Patriots-Dolphins hardly is a stinker" (NEWSDAY.com, 11/24). In West Palm Beach, Brian Biggane wrote, "Apparently the prospect of the Dolphins and Patriots possibly playing for first place in the AFC East isn't sexy enough for NBC. They'd rather have a matchup of ageless quarterbacks" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 11/24). Miami's WTVJ-NBC's Todd Wright wrote the move was "made for only one reason: Favre-Mania." In "most reasonable minds, the Patriots-Dolphins game offers more intrigue, significance and a higher upside for a ratings bonanza" (NBCMIAMI.com, 11/24). In Miami, Jeff Darlington notes Vikings QB Brett Favre has "caused huge ratings multiple times this season, especially when his new team faced his former team in two epic Packers-Vikings showdowns" (MIAMI HERALD, 11/25). Meanwhile, PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio cited a source as saying that CBS put the Titans-Colts game "on the off-limits list, and Fox had squatted on Cowboys at Giants" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 11/24).